SOS sailing Sept 24-Oct 1

[LPut714]

We have done 35+ cruises and this was the fastest embarkation ever. From the time we dropped our bags with the porters till we were on the boat was about 15 minutes. Had to retake photos but other than that just kept walking. We were on the boat about 10:45am

Booked our shows and then did muster-so easy. Lunch in the Windjammer was ok. Food lukewarm. A definite trend we found

Waited till 1pm or so and able to go to cabins-we had balcony on deck 10-10696 bed by the balcony. Twice a day service and kept very clean. 

We had been on Allure class ships before so very familiar with lay out.

Captain Rick kept us in very calm waters considering Ian was going to hit Fla during the cruise.

Aqua and Ice show great. Comediennes were ok. Wish they mixed up shows more.

Our ports were St. Maarten (shopped/bars), St Thomas (ferry to Water Island then Honeymoon beach) and Cocoa cay (first time there)

We had 84 degrees and smooth water all cruise

We had MTD and I had sent RC an email to make a reservation-was able to have standing 7pm at table 692 with a great team of Pierre and Frances. Made sure food was always hot. Had very 'poopy' shrimp one night-chef made another plate the next night. On lobster night several of ours were mushy and tasted like iodine.

Nothing in Windjammer at breakfast was hot-my gripe for many years-except the fried eggs. Wish they had an omellette station

All in all great cruise. Felt good to be back on the water-first cruise in 3 years.

 

[twangster]

The enhanced embarking process is why the Crown and Anchor priority queues have become meaningless.  Some people gripe when they hear there are no CAS based queues like before but what you describe for embarkation is what Royal started working towards before the pandemic.  "Car to Bar in 15 minutes".